The Los Angeles Rams played their first game of the season without Davante Adams on Thursday night, missing their star receiver and the NFL leader in touchdown catches due to knee and hamstring injuries.
Having Puka Nacua obviously helps, but Adams’ absence was certainly felt, especially in the red zone. It’s not as if the Rams had one clear-cut replacement for him in the lineup, either.
They had to go with a committee approach, leaning on three younger guys to fill in for Adams. Konata Mumpfield led the way with three catches on eight targets for 40 yards, including a 19-yard reception. Xavier Smith caught two passes for 57 yards, highlighted by a 48-yard bomb from Matthew Stafford. Jordan Whittington hauled in his lone reception for 19 yards, too.
Sean McVay liked what he saw from the Rams’ wideouts, praising them during his media session.
“You don’t ever replace a player like him. He’s a special player, but I was really proud of the group,” McVay said. “You don’t ask one receiver to take over his production. It’s by a committee. I thought Matthew did a great job of getting a bunch of different guys involved. Mumpfield made his plays. He’s continuing to ascend. Xavier Smith delivers when he’s asked. Jordan Whittington does the same. Tutu did a good job of being able to affect and influence coverage with some of the snaps that he played. I thought they did a really nice job.”
Prior to Week 16, Mumpfield had only been targeted nine times all year. Stafford showed trust in him by targeting the seventh-round rookie eight times, fewer than only Nacua’s 16 targets.
Tutu Atwell still isn’t involved very much since returning from IR, playing only four snaps and eight snaps in the last two weeks, but he’s someone who is capable of making big plays and as McVay said, dictating coverage.
McVay told reporters last week that Adams is unlikely to play against the Falcons next Monday night, so the Rams will need Mumpfield and their other receivers to step up again. It’s unclear when Adams might return but ideally, he’ll be back in time for the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay ‘really proud’ of Rams WRs who filled in for Davante Adams
